Stakes high as Commonwealth Games start in Glasgow

PHOTO | GLYN KIRK Kenya's flagbearer Mercy Obiero leads the delegation during the opening ceremony of the 2014 Commonwealth Games at Celtic Park in Glasgow on July 23, 2014.   AFP

In Summary

• What was unique about the outing was that swimming joined athletics and boxing as the only events to have earned the country medals.
• Kenya collected 12 gold, 11 silver and 10 bronze medals from the Delhi Games.
• Swaleh Balala and Jess De Boer are set to feature in men and women’s triathlon for the first time at the Strathclyde Country Park.

By AYUMBA AYODI
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The 2010 Delhi went into history books as Kenya’s best ever Commonwealth Games outing after the country hauled 33 medals.

What was unique about the outing was that swimming joined athletics and boxing as the only events to have earned the country medals in the Club Games.

 

Its former Olympic Games 100m freestyle record holder Jason Dunford, who gave Kenya its maiden Club Games gold medal from the pool when he won the 50m butterfly event.

Kenya collected 12 gold, 11 silver and 10 bronze medals from the Delhi Games. Their previous best show was at the 1998 Kuala Lumpur Games where Kenya won seven gold medals with two from boxing, four silver (two from boxing) and five bronze (two from boxing).

Once again, Kenya will be banking on athletics, boxing and swimming to supersede the Delhi Games medal tally. The Kenya Sevens rugby team is also expected to do well in the Games.

Dunford defends his 50m butterfly title at the Tollcross International Swimming Centre. Dunford, who expects an easy glide to the semi-finals, will be teaming up with Issa Abdalla over the distance.

The country will also be crossing fingers when Hamdan Bayusuf plunges in men’s 100 backstroke.

Martha Opiyo and Rebecca Kamau will be competing in women’s 50m butterfly while Ger Ogot battles in women’s 100 butterfly.

“It’s good that I have hit top form at the right time after a rather lukewarm outing last season. I am stronger this season and I should defend my title and perhaps go for a hat trick of medals later,” said Dunford, who will be competing in 100m freestyle and butterfly.

“I will be going for speed but that will also depend on what my opponents will be doing,” said Dunford.” I just want to stay relaxed and hope for the best.”

TRAITHLON EVENTS

Swaleh Balala and Jess De Boer are set to feature in men and women’s triathlon for the first time at the Strathclyde Country Park.

They will later team up with Vincent Ochieng and Elizabeth Kinuthia in team event on Saturday that involves swimming, cycling and running.

“I know it’s going to be tough but we are good to go,” said Balala, who finished sixth at the 2011 All African Games in Mozambique.

In Judo, Ken Njagi (66kg) will meet A. Weithers from Barbados in the first round of the 66kg contest at the Secc Hall while Kenya face-off Ireland in men’s triples in lawn bowls at Kelvingrove.

Kenya is also up against Uganda's mixed team in badminton contest at Emirates Arena while Mercy Obiero, James Adede, Webster Lukose, Stephen Opondo and Arthur Oyim are in the weightlifting action at the Clyde Auditorium.